UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


Farm 
Mechanics 

p^«^  Tank  ot^  Truck 
to  Tractor, 

to  ^l[j^  Disabled  Soldiers.  Sailors,  ev^^  Marines. 

to  aid  them 
in  choosing  a  vocaUon. 


PREPARED  BY  THE 

Federal  Board  f^^  Vocational  Education 


and  issued  in  coopcrolion  with  the 


OrriCE 

of  the 

Surgeon 
General 

War 
Department, 


ah«>   Bureau 

of 

Medicine  a"" 
Surgery 

Navy 
Department 


/^ 


WASBINUXON  :  GOVEBNMBNI  FBIMIIMa  OFFICE  :  1910 


Note  to  (he  Disabled  Soldier,  Sailor,  or  Marine. 

As  a  disabled  soldier,  sailor,  or  marine  you  should  remember  that  the 
Office  of  the  Surgeon  General,  War  Department,  and  all  its  employees, 
the  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  Navy  Department,  and  all  its 
employees,  and  the  Federal  Board  for  Vocational  Education  and  all  its 
employees  are  mutually  interested  in  your  welfare  solely.  They  have 
arranged  a  definite  plan  of  cooperation  to  help  you  in  every  possible 
way.  You  can  not  afford  to  leave  the  hospital  until  the  medical 
officers  have  done  everything  that  they  can  for  you  to  restore  you  to 
physical  health  and  strength.  Any  other  course  will  interfere  with 
your  vocational  success  later.  Furthermore,  you  should  by  all  means 
take  advantage  of  the  educational  opportunities  which  the  hospital 
has  provided  for  you. 

While  you  are  making  up  your  mind  what  line  of  work  you  want 
to  follow  you  should  take  advantage  of  the  opportunities  to  try  yourself 
out  in  the  different  lines  of  activities  which  are  provided  at  the  hospital. 
When  once  you  have  made  up  your  mind  as  to  the  employment  you 
want  to  enter  or  the  kind  of  training  you  want  the  Federal  Board  to 
give  you  after  you  leave  the  hospital,  you  should  ask  the  vocational 
officers  at  the  hospital  to  provide  for  you  the  kind  of  training  which 
wUl  advance  you  in  the  dii-ection  of  the  occupation  which  you  expect 
to  follow  or  for  which  you  expect  to  be  trained  after  you  leave  the 
hospital.  You  will  find  the  educational  officers  at  the  hospital  eager  to 
render  this  service  for  you,  and  you  should  consult  them  early  in  your 
hospital  career. 

All  disabled  soldiers,  sailors,  and  marines  in  hospitals  who  want 
information  about  reeducation  should  ask  any  instructor  of  the  Hospital 
Educational  Service  or  the  representative  of  the  Federal  Board  for 
Vocational  Education. 

Men  discharged  from  the  military  or  naval  service  who  want  infor- 
mation should  write  to  or  call  at  the  office  of  the  Federal  Board  for 
Vocational  Education,  Washington,  D.  C,  or  the  District  Office  of  the 
Federal  Board  of  the  district  in  which  they  are  located.  The  district 
offices  of  the  Board  are  located  at  the  following  points:  Boston,  New 
York  City,  Philadelphia,  Washington,  Atlanta,  New  Orleans,  Dallas, 
St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  Chicago,  Minneapolis,  Denver,  San  Francisco, 
and  Seattle.    For  addresses  see  p.  20. 

(2) 


^V3o,C)°\6;i 


Prepared  under  the  direction  of 

Charles  H.  Winslow. 

Chief  of  the  Division  of  Research, 
Federal  Board  for  Vocational  Education. 

By 

J.  H.  Gill,  M.  E.,  and  Walter  J.  Quick,  Ph.  D. 
Special  Agents,  Agricultural  Research. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 

Acknowledgment  is  due  E.  B.  McCormick,  Chief  Division  of  Rural 
Engineering,  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture;  American 
Society  of  Agricultural  Engineers;  Curtis  Publishing  Co.;  Vacuum  Oil 
Co.;  International  Harvester  Co.;  Domestic  Engineering  Co.,  and 
A.  W.  Shaw  Co.,  for  data,  suggestions,  and  illustrations;  also  to  Dr. 
John  Cunuuings,  of  the  Research  Division,  for  editorial  assistance. 

(3) 


FROM  TANK. 


TO  TRACTOR. 


FARM  MECHANICS  AS   A   VOCATION.  For  taatefew. 

Perhaps  you  op- 

eratedatankover 

there,    and    you 
The  war,  just  over,  has  been  a  war  of  machinery.    The  observing  ^^  and^reared 

soldier  has  seen  the  effectiveness  of  the  tank,  the  airplane,  the  truck,  on  a  farm,  or  may 

liftvfl  bGconi©  HI"* 

the  motor  transport,  and  the  ambulance.  He  "wnll  remember  them  terested  in  some 
almost  as  comrades  in  the  great  struggle.  He  has  seen  the  systematic  may  now  become 
care  required  to  keep  all  this  equipment  in  shape  to  deliver  maximum  interested  in  it. 

There  never  was  a 
service.  time  when  there 

Many  of  the  retm^ed  soldiers  have  been  truck,  ambulance,  or  mand^a^now  for 

automobile  drivers,  or  at  lea.st  have  seen  the  vast  field  of  work  that  has  persons  skilled  in 

been  done  by  the  gasoline  engine  in  some  form  and  have  developed  farm  machinery, 

an  admiration  for  machinery .     If  you  have  driven  any  of  these  machines  ^a  ctor  s!^  R^ 

and  experienced  the  thrill  of  pleasure  on  getting  your  machine  out  of  t^e  Opportunity 

..,.     ,  .  ^.  °.„     fr,  .  Monograph  on 

some  tight  place,  or  in  overcoming  some  diinculty  by  your  own  inge-  farm  occumtions 

nuity,  you  have  the  best  evidence  that  you  will  enjoy  the  vocation  I'^er^l^  Boa*rd! 

thatisspokenof  in  this  monograph.  ,Tliere   you    will 

T         1     i-  ,.  .  ,       , ,     .  „    ,  \esLTn    all    about 

In  selecting  your  future  vocation  j'ou  should  aim  to  profit  by  your  opportunities    fn 

past  experiences  as  much  as  possible  and  at  the  same  time  select  such  |^/ts— 'poultry 

work  as  will  best  enable  you  to  enjoy  life  and  health.    You  have  had  farming,  stock 

•     4.U     <<         4.       *j  ..  -ui  •  raismg.     garden- 

an  experience  in  the     great  outdoors,     possibly  a  prewar  experience  ing,  dairying. 

in  agriculture,  and  can  readily  decide  whether  you  will  be  contented  o'tber'unes^^' 
under  such  conditions  as  are  found  in  country  life.     The  majority  of 
soldiers  have,  barring  injuries,  been  greatly  benefited  by  their  Army 
Ufe. 

Uncle  Sam  having  called  several  million  men  into  his  service,  many 
of  whom  have  been  injured,  is  emplopng  the  best  experts  available 
to  restore  these  to  a  condition  of  maximum  usefulness.  Ju.st  as  the 
expert  surgeon  is  restoring  to  useful  condition  the  injured,  so  there  is 
need  of  a  mechanical  expert  to  keep  in  good  order  the  machinery  of 
the  farm  and  to  restore  to  usefulness  that  which  may  have  been  injured. 

The  farmer  is  realizing  that  one  of  the  chief  problems  of  the  modern 
farm  is  that  of  getting  sufficient  help  when  needed.  He  has  been  in 
the  habit  of  dep>ending  on  floating  labor  for  extra  help.  During  the 
past  few  years  this  help  has  been  getting  more  and  more  imcertain, 
inefficient,  and  expensive,  and  during  the  war  it  has  in  fact  often  been 
impossible  to  get  help  at  any  price.  To  meet  this  condition  a  more 
general  use  is  being  made  of  modern  machinery,  which  enables  more 
and  better  work  to  be  done  with  fewer  workers. 

Modern  farming  depends  to  a  large  extent  on  machinery.  The  average 
farmer  is  not  a  mechanic  and  must  employ  expert  help  to  get  the 
maximum  service  from  his  equipment.  You  may  have  had  training 
and  experience  in  mechanical  work,  and  with  a  little  special  training 
this  may  become  a  valuable  asset  to  you  as  a  farm  mechanic.  A  person 
properly  trained  for  this  work  can  save  many  machines  for  future 
usefulness  and  increase  the  life  of  all  the  mechanical  equipment  of 
the  farm. 

(5) 


WUlyon 
Carry  onl 

Whatever  your 
injury,  or  combi- 
nation of  injuries, 
there  is  some  one 
occupation  in 
which  you  can 
succeed.  If  you 
don't  believe  it, 
we  can  prove  it 
to  you. 

If  you  need  a  new 
arm  or  leg,  that 
will  be  provided, 
one  for  Sundays 
and  one  for  tne 
workshop.  You 
can  play  the  game 
with  it  as  well  as 
with  the  one  you 
left  over  there, 
and  it  won't  hurt 
when  you  poimd 
your  thumb  or  get 
it  broken.  Be- 
sides, you  can  get 
a  new  one  any 
time,  and  it  is 
warranted  against 
rheumatism. 

While  you  are 
learning  your  new 
occupation  you 
will  be  paid  a 
regular  allowance 
to  cover  your  liv- 
ing expenses,  and 
your  family  will 
be  paid  an  allow- 
ance for  their  sup- 
port. 

When  you  have 
learned  to  work 
you  can  Uve  on 
your  earnings  and 
spend  your  dis- 
aoility  compensa- 
tion taking  your 
family  to  the 
movies,  or  any 
way  you  like.  It's 
yours  for  keeps 
just  the  same 
whether  you 
work  or  loaf 
around  for  life, 
but  you  can't 
spend  it  going  to 
the  movies  if  you 
haven't  any 
wages  to  live  on. 


POWER  ON  AMERICAN  FARMS 


TotaV  -    aT.OOO.OOO  H.P. 


Used,  on  Farms 


2.7,000,000   H.P. 


Used  in,  rianu.fa.ctu.rinQEStabs| 

"*  Ea,5 00,000  H.P. 

Fig.  1.— Showing  the  importance  of  farm  power. 

The  chart  (fig.  1)  shows  the  relative  amount  of  power  on  American 
farms  as  compared  with  power  used  for  manufacturing.  All  of  this 
power  on  the  farm  is  utilized  through  machinery,  and  the  large  invest- 
ment in  farm  machinery  makes  it  important  that  the  best  of  care 
shall  be  given  to  insure  long  life  and  efficient  service. 

When  the  call  came  for  greatly  increased  production  many  farmers 
who  doubted  their  ability  to  handle  the  modern  farm  machinery  hesi- 
tated to  undertake  the  larger  acreage.  In  some  cases  crops  already 
started  were  not  harvested  for  want  of  help  and  lack  of  ability  to  use 
the  machinery  that  might  have  taken  the  place  of  man  power. 

The  mpre  complicated  machinery  becomes,  the  more  important 
becomes  its  proper  care  and  management.  Neglect  or  improper  usage 
shortens  the  life  of  the  machines  and  often  causes  breakage,  necessi- 
tating repair  or  new  parts.  The  services  of  a  man  who  has  ability  and 
training  in  the  repair  and  operation  of  such  implements  are  needed  to 
secure  the  best  results.  If  maximum  life  and  service  is  not  secured 
from  farm  equipment  the  farmer  can  not  afford  to  have  it.  With  maxi- 
mum service  the  farmer  can  not  afford  to  do  without  it. 


The  Farm  Tractor. 

The  tractor  is  the  most  important  recent  addition  to  farm  equipment. 
Its  use  is  increasing  because  it  enables  one  man  to  do  the  work  of 
several  and  do  it  better. 


Fig.  2.— Trai- 


two  grain  drills.    Note  the  hitches  shown  by  the  arrows. 


Many  farmers  hesitate  to  invest  in  the  tractor  and  other  modem 
machinery  now  available,  because  realizing  that  they  are  not  me- 
chanics, they  doubt  their  ability  to  operate  such  equipment  satisfac- 
torily. Manufacturers  employ  mechanics  to  care  for  and  operate  their 
machines.  Farmers  must  adopt  similar  methods.  They  are  recog- 
nizing that  in  heavy  farm  work  the  tractor  will  accomplish  more  and 
do  it  better  than  horses,  and  that  the  tractor  does  not  require  feed  or 
care  when  not  being  used. 


Think  It  over. 

If  you  have  not 
lost  vour  head  the 
world  is  full  of  op- 
portunities for 
you  by  way  of 
training.  Yoa 
have  your  head, 
or  you  wouldn't 
be  here.  What  is 
it  you  wanted  to 
be  that  you  have 
never  been;  that 
you  never  had  an 
opportunity  to 
take  training  for? 
Th  ink  i  t  over,  and 
then  ask  the  rep- 
resent at  ives  of  the 
Federal  Board  for 
Vocational  Edu- 
cation to  help 
you. 


Fio.  3.— Mowing  with  a  tractor. 

The  use  of  the  tractor  involves  so  many  changes  in  methods  of  work 
that  farmers  are  often  staggered  by  the  new  problems  to  bo  solved. 
Every  farmer  has  grown  into  the  use  of  horses  and  horse-drawn  equip- 
ment. He  knows  he  can  handle  them,  but  he  has  not  the  same  con- 
fidence in  his  ability  to  handle  the  tractor  and  the  machinery  that 
goes  with  it. 


8 


The  farm  mechanic  will  be  expected  to  operate  the  tractor  in  plow- 
ing, seeding,  cultivating,  harvesting,  and  various  other  operations. 
He  will  be  able  to  get  more  and  better  work  out  of  the  tractor  and  other 
machines  than  one  who  does  not  fully  understand  them. 


Fig.  4. — The  tractor  loads  two  wagons  at  once. 

If  th6  services  of  a  trained  farm  mechanic  were  obtainable,  many 
farmers  would  adopt  the  methods  of  the  manufacturer,  and  they  would 
find  it  profitable  to  use  such  modern  machinery  as  is  adaptable  to  their 
needs.  This  machinery,  to  give  the  best  service,  must  be  kept  in 
first-class  condition,  which  requires  the  attention  of  a  mechanic  familiar 
with  farm  machinery,  not  a  machinist  trained  to  do  one,  two,  or  several 
things  in  a  fully  equipped  up-to-date  machine  shop,  but  an  ingenious 
all-round  mechanic  who  can  keep  the  equipment  in  condition  for 
operation  at  all  times. 


Fig.  5. — Farm  mechanic's  "hurry-up  wagon."  On  large  farms  the  farm  mechanic  will  act  as  an 
expert  to  care  for  all  the  machinery  and  keep  everything  going  in  the  best  of  shape.  The  cut  shows 
the  motorcycle  and  side  car  used  by  the  expert  to  go  to  the  assistance  of  any  operator  who  is  having 
trouble  with  his  machine.  In  this  way  much  time  is  saved.  The  motorcycle  is  the  cheapest,  best, 
and  quickest  errand  runner,  and  will  be  foimd  of  great  help  in  quickly  getting  extras  and  supplies. 

A  New  Vocation. 

This  opens  a  new  field  of  employment,  that  of  farm  mechanic. 

The  farm  mechanic  will  have  employment  the  year  round,  and  the 
farm  owner  who  has  a  competent  mechanic  in  his  employ  will  find  his 
machinery  in  good  order  when  needed. 

The  farm  mechanic  should  not  think  that  he  is  above  doing  regular 
farm  work,  when  that  is  more  important.  He  may  be  called  upon 
to  repair  buildings,  build  fences,  or  even  plant  potatoes,  but  his 
duties  should  be  primarily  the  operation  and  upkeep  of  mechanical 
equipment. 


With  the  machinery  cared  for  by  a  competent  farm  mechanic  there 
will  be  less  loss  of  time  due  to  breakdowns  and  the  equipment  lasts 
longer.    If  anything  goes  wrong  with  any  of  the  mechanical  eqiupment 


Fig.  6.— The  farm  mechanic  can  devise  many  helps  for  farm  work. 

while  in  operation  it  will  receive  the  immediate  attention  of  an  expert. 
When  there  is  a  need  for  repairs  to  any  of  the  buildings  a  competent 
man  ia  available  to  do  the  work. 


Fig.  7.— Overhauling  a  binder. 

Some  large  scientifio  farmers  who  have  made  their  farming  truly  com- 
mercial propositions  have  introduced  as  one  of  the  economic  features 
of  their  business  a  department  of  farm  mechanics  with  an  expert 
114894«»— 19 2 


10 


Learn  safety  en- 
^eerlng. 

Being  disabled 
loam  to  help 
others  avoid  disa- 
bilities. There 
is  opportunity 
for  a  considerable 
number  of  dis- 
abled soldiers  to 
get  training  for 
safety  engineering 
at  Government 
expense  while  be- 
ing supported,  to- 
gether with  their 
dependents. 
Look  this  up  by 
talking  it  over 
with  the  agents  of 
tbeFederalB  oard. 


mechanic  in  charge.  The  time  is  ripe  and  the  need  urgent  for  the 
general  introduction  of  the  farm  mechanic  on  every  farm  of  sufficient 
size.  Adjoining  farms  might  in  some  cases  advantageously  combine  in 
employing  a  farm  mechanic. 

A  person  with  a  desire  to  farm  and  an  inclination  toward  mechanics 
may  make  one  help  the  other  by  getting  a  farm  so  located  that  he  can 
do  general  repair  work  for  near  neighbors,  this  work  to  be  undertaken 
with  the  understanding  that  repairing  and  sharpening  of  tools  will  be 
done  when  farming  is  at  a  standstill  because  of  weather  or  for  other 
reasons,  and  that  his  own  farming  operations  must  not  be  sacrificed. 
Those  desiring  his  services  will  gladly  bring  their  machines  to  him  to 
be  overhauled  before  the  season  for  use  and  while  other  work  is  not 
pressing. 

The  farm  mechanic  must  be  ingenious  in  utilizing  the  equipment  at 
hand.  He  can  often  adapt  available  equipment  to  do  work  that, 
without  his  ingenious  help,  would  be  accomplished  with  much  diflfi- 
culty. 


Fig.  8. — Binder  with  small  gasoline  engine  for  a  "  Helper." 

The  cut  shows  a  small  gasoline  engine  mounted  on  a  binder  to  drive 
the  cutting  and  binding  machinery.  With  this  arrangement  the  team 
has  only  to  draw  the  binder.  This  is  particularly  advantageous  on 
soft  ground.  Where  the  bull  wheel  does  not  have  to  drive  the  machin- 
ery it  is  not  so  liable  to  mire  in  wet  places.  This  plan,vtaking  much 
of  the  load  from  the  team,  enables  more  and  better  worlito  be  done. 
If  a  tractor  is  available  that  can  draw  a  grain  drill  and  a  Imrrow  at  the 
same  time,  it  is  poor  economy  not  to  do  both  operations  at  X)nce. 

Efficient  hitches  are  very  important  and  the  mechanic  must  arrange 
these  so  that  he  can  do  the  maximum  work  with  a  minimum  power  in 
the  shortest  time.  (See  Figs.  2  and  4).  It  has  been  fotrnd  that  the 
power  required  by  some  methods  of  hitching  may  be  15  to  25  per  cent 
greater  than  by  others.    As  a  rule,  proper  hitches  not  only  take  less 


11 


power  but  the  tools  do  better  work.     This  illustrates  one  of  the  benefits 
to  be  derived  from  having  an  expert  in  charge  of  the  machinery. 

The  farm  mechanic  will  be  able  to  supervise  the  use  of  machines  and 
tools  on  the  farm  and  thus  greatly  increase  the  efficiency  of  the  equip- 
ment in  the  hands  of  others,  as  well  as  of  that  operated  by  himself.    By 


■^  ^C 


Fig.  9.— Laying  drain  tile. 

supervising  machines  when  in  use  and  by  keeping  equipment  in  the 
best  working  condition,  the  farm  mechanic  can  make  himself  the  most 
valued  man  on  the  place. 


¥iQ.  10.— A  convenient  barnyard. 

In  some  sections  of  the  country  drainage  and  irrigation  are  very 
important.  The  intelligent  farm  mechanic  with  a  little  training  can 
be  of  great  service  in  the  simple  farm  surveying  necessary. 


12 

The  erection  of  and  additions  to  farm  buUdings  is  another  line  of 
work  that  naturally  falla  to  the  farm  mechanic,  as  does  also  the  installa- 
tion of  farm  equipment.  Many  convenient  devices  are  possible  if 
some  one  is  available  who  can  use  tools  and  has  ability  to  plan  and 


Fig.  11.— a  practical  power  house  for  the  country  home,  where  power  is  generated  for  pumping 
water,  furnishing  light,  turning  the  washing  machine,  churn,  cream  separator,  vacuum 
cleaner,  etc. 


construct  such  improvements.  How  many  farmers,  for  example,  have 
a  dumb-waiter  connecting  with  the  cellar,  or  water  in  the  kitchen 
to  save  steps  for  the  farmer's  wife? 


Fig.  12.— The  boy  enjoys  power  on  the  farm. 

Most  farms  have  a  gas  engine  for  pumping  water.  It  would  be  an 
easy  matter  to  arrange  this  engine  so  that  it  could  be  fitted  to  a  short 
shaft  provided  with  pulleys  to  drive  various  machines,  such  as  feed 


13 

grinder,  feed  cutter,  grindstone,   fanning  mill,  etc,     A  IJ  or  2  horse- Ufe  In  the  open, 
power  engine  on  a  small  truck  would  be  very  convenient  for  moving  CMI  engineering 
from  place  to  place  for  odd  jobs.    Many  farms  are  supplied  with  small  ^^  n  vou  Uke 
electric-light  plants,  which  by  a  little  ingenuity  could  be  made  more  this  kind  of  life, 
convenient  and  also  save  work  in  the  home.     Electric  lights,  running  civil  engineering? 
water,  bathroom,  vacuum  cleaner,  cream  separator,  electric  washer,  to^t^otfcan^nd 
electric  iron,  fmmace,  and  many  other  conveniences  are  all  possi-  out  about  this  by 
bUities,  although  many  farmers  do  not  realize  that  these  are  available  resentatives  of  the 
for  the  country  home.     However,  with  the  assistance    of   the  farm  Fe*^'^'^^^  Board, 
mechanic,  the  farmer  will  feel  that  he,  too,  may  enjoy  city  conven- 
iences.    Farmers  are  not  unwilling  to  have  things  made  convenient 
for  themselves,  but  hesitate  because  of  the  difficulty  of  getting  a  com- 
petent person  to  operate  and  maintain  the  plant.     Lights,  feed  cutters, 
milkers,  and  other  conveniences  are  needed  at  the  bam.     Probably 
no  farm  would  have  all  these  improvements,  but  any  farm,  may  have 
Bome,  and,  if  a  farm  mechanic  of  originality  is  available,  many  of  these 
will  be  possible. 


Fig.  13. — This  cut  shows  a  shop  which  one  fanner  fixed  up  for  his  own  use.  The  gasolene  engine  is 
used  to  drive  aline  shaft.  By  this  means  a  power-driven  emery  wheel  is  available  for  grinding 
tools.  This  is  of  great  help  where  chilled  plows  are  used.  The  forge  is  one  of  the  most  important 
features  of  the  equipment.  The  arrangement  will  depend  on  the  work  to  be  done.  An  important 
point  that  must  not  be  overlooked  is  floor  space  for  working  on  a  machine  and  a  large  door  that 
will  admit  an  auto  or  a  gang  plow  or  other  large  machines.  The  mechanic  will  usually  find 
helpers  on  the  farm  who  with  a  little  training  will  bo  able  to  render  valuable  assistance. 


The  farm  mechanic  should  be  provided  with  a  shop  equipped  with 
well  selected  tools.  This  shop,  for  convenience,  should  be  located  as 
closely  as  possible  to  the  machine  sheds.  It  should  have  good  light, 
a  tight  floor,  and  some  means  of  heating  in  cold  weather,  for  most  of 
the  work  in  the  shop  will  be  done  during  weather  which  is  unsuited 
for  outside  operations.  The  equipment  should  consist  of  a  forge  and 
anvil,  a  bench  and  vise  for  metal  work,  a  bench  and  vise  for  wood- 
work, good,  suitable  tools,  and  a  small  stock  of  supplies — such  as  nails, 
screws,  nuts,  and  bolts. 

Farm  machinery  is  built  on  the  interchangeable  plan,  and  a  few  of 
the  extras  most  liable  to  be  needed  should  be  kept  on  hand  to  avoid 
delay.  For  example,  a  careful  inspection  of  the  binder  before  harvest 
will  show  what  parts  are  likely  to  give  trouble  and  which,  if  imme- 
diately replaced  by  extras  on  hand,  will  eliminate  unnecessary  delay 
at  a  time  when  every  hour  counts  in  saving  a  crop.    It  is  well  to  know 


14 


months  before  harvest  that  when  you  hitch  to  the  binder  it  will  be  in 
shape  for  work;  also,  that  when  the  silo  is  to  be  filled  the  knives  will  be 
sharp  and  the  blower  in  good  working  order. 

With  a  reasonable  outfit  of  tools  a  trained  mechanic  can  repair 
almost  any  ordinary  break  that  may  occur  in  the  busy  season  which, 
othervvise,  would  cause  the  work  to  stop  and  the  crew  to  be  idle  while 
a  part,  or  perhaps  the  whole  machine,  is  taken  to  the  local  shop  for 
repair,  only  to  find  the  shop  crowded  with  similar  rush  jobs  which 
must  take  their  turn. 

The  farm  mechanic  should  know  how  to  do  simple  forge  work; 
sharpen  plows;  dress  and  temper  ordinary  chisels,  punches,  and  other 

steel  tools;  make  good  welds 
in  iron  and  steel;  do  a  fair  job 
of  woodwork,  such  as  will  be 
required  in  repairing  around 
the  house  and  bams,  and 
erect  such  small  buildings  as 
may  be  needed.  He  should 
know  how  to  babbitt  a  bear- 
ing; fit  new  piston  rings  in  a 
gas-engine  cylinder;  grind  in 
the  valves;  clean  out  the 
carbon  from  the  cylinders  of 
the  gas  engine,  auto,  or 
tractor;  overhaul  the  binder,  mower,  hay  loader,  or  other  machinery; 
and  replace  such  paits  as  are  broken  or  worn. 


Fig.  14.— Small  biuldiiig. 


Fig.  15.— Overhauling  a  disk  cultivator. 


15 


Practically,  all  repair  work  should  be  done  on  the  farm  and  most 
of  it  may  be  done  when  the  machines  are  not  in  use,  or  when  the 
weather  prevents  other  work. 

WhUe  a  machine  is  in  use,  or  immediately  after  it  is  brought  in  from 
the  field,  any  repairs  or  replacements  that  are  needed  should  be  noted 
by  the  operator  on  a  tag  to  be  attached  to  the  machine  before  it  is  put 
away  for  the  season.  This  will  serve  as  a  reminder  when  the  machine 
is  overhauled  to  prepare  it  for  the  next  season. 

During  the  late  fall  and  winter  the  entire  equipment  of  machinery 
should  be  overhauled  and  put  in  shape  for  use.  This  will  give  ample 
time  to  secure  extra  parts.  The  "one-hoss  shay"  had  no  weakest 
part,  but  most  machinery  has.  If  the  weak  parts  can  be  repaired, 
or  replaced,  before  they  give  way  the  life  and  efficient  service  of 
the  machine  will  be  prolonged.  A  point  often  overlooked  is,  that 
poor  results  are  secured  by  using  tools  that  are  not  sharp,  or  not  in 
good  repair,  and,  also,  the  additional  fact  that  much  time  is  lost. 
Men  will  do  more  work,  and  do  it  better,  if  the  tools  they  use  are  in 


Heads,  you  win! 

From  the  neck 
dovm  you  may  be 
worth  $1.50  per 
day;  from  your 
neck  up  you  may 
be  worth  any 
price,  provided 
you  will  get  pre- 

rired  to  do  well 
h  e  occupation 
which  you  and 
the  representa- 
tives of  the  Fed- 
eral Board  find  to 
be  most  suitable 
for  you  with  your 
handicap. 


FlQ.  10.— Hulling  clover. 

first  class  condition.  A  man  who  is  swearing  mad  at  a  dull,  rusty  plow 
that  will  not  scour,  will  be  liable  to  mistreat  his  team  and  he  will  be 
unprofitable  in  many  ways  all  on  account  of  a  neglected  plow.  In 
consequence  of  {xwr  tools,  or  tools  in  poor  condition,  inefficient  plow- 
ing, cultivating  and  other  operations  follow  with  their  resultant  losses 
in  crop  returns.  To  illustrate,  the  average  yield  of  wheat  in  the 
United  States  is  about  15  bushels  per  acre,  but  the  efficient  farmer 
produces  25  to  40  bushels,  and  thereby  greatly  reduces  his  cost  per 
bushel.  Likewise  with  corn  or  other  cropw,  the  larger  the  yield  the 
less  the  cost  to  produce,  and  hence  the  greater  the  net  profit. 

Even  if  the  local  repair  shop  happens  to  be  convenient,  and  the 
farmer  inclined  to  use  it  to  the  best  advantage  and  as  often  as  would 
be  profitable,  it  would  frequently  be  impossible  to  get  efficient  service, 


16 


The  tTntralned 
Man. 

What  becomes  of 
the  man  who  does 
not  take  traming? 
He  goes  back 
home  to  compete 
■with  normal  men 
who  aronot  handi- 
capped. After  a 
lew  years,  the  dis- 
abled man  can 
no  longer  rely 
upon  patriotism 
to  hold  him  in  a 
position  where  he 
can  not  do  the 
work  in  competi- 
tion with  the 
trained  normal 
man.  He  Is  too 
proud  as  an  ex- 
soldier  to  be  sus- 
tained by  charity. 
There  is  only  one 
way  out  for  him, 
and  that  is  to  take 
training  so  that  he 
can  mamtain  him- 
self in  the  after 
years  with  di^ty 
as  an  ex-soldier  of 
the  Republic,  able 
to  carry  on  in 
civilian  life  suc- 
cessfully just  ashe 
did  in  war. 


since  the  local  shop  is  often  congested  with  work,  poorly  equipped, 
and  the  shop  mechanic  may  not  be  familiar  with  the  machinery  to 
be  repaired. 

To  make  the  farm  investment  as  a  whole  most  profitable  a  consider- 
able and  judicious  investment  in  modern  farm  machinery  is  abso- 
lutely necessary.  The  farm  equipment  will  usually  include  a  tractor, 
sometimes  a  truck,  depending  on  the  size  of  the  farm,  and  farm  imple- 
ments suited  to  the  lines  of  work  being  carried. 

FARM  HOME  EQUIPMENT 

ORAMfiE'TOWnSrKP.   B1.ACK   HAWK  COUNTV,   IOWA. 


TOTAL  m,  or  Houses 

ruRMACC.  MOT  V/flTER    OR 
STEAM   HEAT 

tUECTRlC   6-  6A3  LI9HT 
RUNNING    WATER 
BATH   T08 
6l.EE  PI  M6   PORCH 
IMOOOR    TOILET 

VACUUM    CLEANER 
POWER     WASHER 
RtFRieERATOR 
OIL.    COOK     STOVe 
ELECTRIC    OR   6A0   IRON 

TELEPMOMt 

PlAMO 

AUTOMOBILE 


S'*'»7 


Hlsisr. 


il»16 


lla-tx 


vV^^VV^^V^k^^^V^^^.^k^^'v.'^Vs^^V 


B-»o^ 


^V\\\\\\\vk\\VV\VVV\\^^^^        ^- 


\V\\^\\\^\V\V\\\VVvVi  aax. 


\\\\V^\VVs?^^?^3 


^CS.\\\\\\v:?^g»X 


332% 


1^)      OF     TOT« 


Dcn  or  Mouses 


••THC  ncfttfLTS  ( 


.  SOCIAL  aiMVCVJ  IN  IOWA** 


Fig.  17.— Former  luxuries  fast  become  necessities. 


It  must  be  realized,  however,  that  the  best  results  from  the  farm 
depend  on  the  efficient  equipment  of  the  farm  home.  The  farmer's 
home  is  more  than  a  shelter,  it  is  the  most  important  tool  in  his  busi- 
ness. The  farm  equipment  chart,  figure  17,  shows  the  result  of  a  study 
of  all  the  farm  homes  in  a  township  in  Iowa.    Half  of  all  the  farm 


17 

homes  in  this  township  had  fnmacee,  while  the  proportion  having  Remember  this! 

water,  bath,  and  electric  or  gas  lights  was  somewhat  less.    Nearly  half  a  handicap  is  a 

had  vacuum  cleaners,  power  washers,  and  electric  irons.     Nearly  all  ^^^^  "i  °"°^-   ^* 

'  ^  '  •'         you     nave    one, 

these  homes  had  telephones.     Over  half  had  pianos,  and  about  half  changeyourmind. 

had  automobiles.    This  is  not  a  picture  of  average  conditions  obtaining  and  no  one  else 

at  present  in  farm  homes  throughout  the  United  States,  but  it  is  a  (frft'^vvin  b^t  any 

picture  of  conditions,  somewhat  exceptional  at  present,  to  which  we  handicap    as    ft 

are,  however,  rapidly  approaching.  wSlbeal;  yours. 

In  many  instances  an  automobile  is  included  in  the  farm  equip-  your  handicap  is 

ment.     Farmers  have  in  fact  more  need  for  a  car  than  have  any  other  not   a    handicap 

class,  since  it  serves  the  double  purpose  of  business  and  pleasure  and  termined  to  make 

makes  possible  the  greater  enjoyment  of  church,  town,  and  neighbors.  |*ack\ome^tanOT? 

Statistics  show  that  nearly  2,000,000  autos  are  owned  by  farmers,      that  you  do  not 

wish  to  be  a  de- 

Cost  of  Farm  Equipment.  Sfe!  and  the^Gov- 

The  machinery  on  a  200-acre  farm  will  vary  from  $3,000  to  $4,000  or  to^elp  you  °Mh 
more.  No  business  man  would  put  such  expensive  equipment  in  ^*a*civil  empkiy- 
the  hands  of  a  crew  of  untrained  men  without  some  one  in  charge  to  "">"*  as  an  inde- 
see  that  it  is  properly  used,  kept  in  repair,  and  cared  for  when  not  in  with  every  oppor 
use.  With  a  farm  mechanic  assured,  farmers  will  realize  that  it  is  ^^(^^g^t"^  ^" 
good  business  to  supplement  their  farm  investment  by  the  purchase  . 

of  such  machinery  as  will  result  in  improved  farming  and  increased  compelled  to  take 

Droduction  any  training  what- 

prouucuon.  ^^^j.  ,^^^^  y^^^  ^j 

The  necessity  for  proper  mechanical  equipment  of  the  farm  was  t)e  given   expert 
•   ,11,1      T-TiiT-i  T  I-.!      1         .  •■,■,,       ad^'lce  and  help  in 

appreciated  by  the  federal  i^arm  Loan  Board  when  it  provided  that  getting  such  train- 
part  of  the  Federal  loan  funds  might  be  used  for  mechanical  equipment.  TOu^hoose^otoke 
The  board  realized  that  a  farm  can  not  be  profitably  operated  without  }^-  Your  disabil- 
suitable  machinery  and  that  without  modem  farm  tools  the  farmer  will  not  be  reduced 
is  severely  handicapped,  even  though  he  has  a  good  farm  and  sufficient  t/^ng  and  l^n 
buildings.  Thorough  preparation  of  the  soil  and  cultivation  and  har-  *«  w^o^k.  Your 
vesting  of  the  crop  all  depend  upon  proper  equipment  of  the  farm.       ditfonal     income 

The  economic  importance  of  modem  labor  saving  tools,  implements,  ^tion^^wm^con- 
and  machinery  for  the  farm,  orchard  and  garden  was  not  fully  appro-  tinuein  the  same 
ciated  until  four  years  of  a  world-disturbing  war  had  created  havoc  be  paid  if  you  do 
with  the  farmer's  labor  supply,  already  short  from  losses  to  other  in-  Thetr^ningisSli 
dustries.  This  supply  was  further  curtailed  by  the  demand  for  workers  ^nd  you  and  your 
in  the  manufacture  of  war  supplies  and  by  enlistments.  Even  in  the  maintained  dur- 
face  of  this  tremendous  depletion  in  his  labor  supply,  labor-saving  |^^ng.^^lt^ up 
machinery,  available  from  abundant  prewar  manufacture,  enabled  to  youl 
the  farmer,  nevertheless,  to  expand  the  area  under  cultivation  by 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  acres,  and  thus  to  meet  war  emergency  needs. 

The  satisfaction  and  profit  of  having  an  outfit  of  tools  and  a  compe- 
tent man  to  keep  the  equipment  in  good  working  condition,  will  be 
realized  more  fully  as  the  mechanic  demonstrates  his  ability  and 
ingenuity.  The  average  farmer  has  not  had  the  experience  of  having 
his  machines  and  tools  in  condition  without  considerable  trouble  and 
outlay  of  time  and  expense.  The  change  will  be  such  a  relief,  and  the 
increased  efficiency  so  noticeable  that  the  farm  mechanic  will  have 
little  difficulty  in  making  such  services  appreciated,  securing 
acknowledgment  of  his  ability  and  therefore  establishing  his  rank 
among  the  men  on  the  farm.  He  should,  of  course,  be  considered  a 
permanent  man  and  be  provided  with  all  the  perquisites  that  other 
permanent  men  enjoy,  including  a  house  and  a  garden  in  addition 
to  adequate  compensation. 


18 


Future  Prospects. 

The  demand  for  farm  mechanics  may  be  expected  to  grow  somewhat 
in  proportion  to  the  increase  in  the  use  of  tractors.  The  introduction 
of  a  tractor  on  a  farm  necessitates  many  changes  in  methods  of  work 
which  call  for  the  exercise  of  mechanical  ingenuity  to  get  maximum 
results.  The  advantage  of  having  a  trained  man  to  help  plan  and  start 
the  work  under  the  new  conditions  is  evident. 

The  Curtis  Publishing  Co.  has  made  a  study  of  tractor  production 
and  has  plotted  a  curve  (Fig.  18)  which  shows  the  probable  future  of 


>9I2, 


•<VQQ,QOQ 


;}5aQoa 


300,000 


aSO^OQQ 


1 60.00  Q 


1 00.000 


50,000 


TRACTOR  PRODUCTION  CURVE 


/   420.00 


Fia.  18.— Indication  of  the  future  of  the  tractor.    The  demand  for  farm  mechanics  is  expected  to  follow 

a  similar  increase.   . 

the  industry.  If  the  demand  for  farm  mechanics  increases  in  pro- 
portion as  does  the  utilization  of  tractors,  the  future  looks  bright  for 
well-trained  men. 

You  may  have  had  mechanical  experience  and  possibly  experience 
with  farm  machinery,  but  you  will,  nevertheless,  need  a  short  intensive 
course  in  the  care  and  repair  of  farm  machinery.  Such  a  course  will 
fill  you  with  new  ideas  for  greater  efficiency  in  the  employment  and 
adaptation  of  numerous  tools  not  generally  used  on  the  farm.  If  you 
have  had  little  mechanical  training,  but  have  had  some  experience 
with  farm  machinery,  you  will  need  a  course  in  shopwork  to  enable 
you  to  do  a  good  workmanlike  job  instead  of  the  usual  makeshift  work 
to  which  many  farmers  have  been  accustomed. 

Handicaps. 

Some  of  you  may  be  saying,  "But  I  can't  hope  to  make  good  on  the 
farm  becaase  of  my  handicap.  I  have  lost  a  foot  or  an  arm  or  am  other- 
wise crippled. "    It  is  true  that  these  may  seem  hard  to  overcome,  but 


19 

the  mechanic's  work  on  a  farm  is  such  that  few  of  these  losses  will  be  Opportnnlty 
,  .    .  .  .        1        ,•  Monographs, 

prohibitive  or  constitute  serious  handicaps. 

Ordinarily  the  loss  of  a  leg  would  prevent  a  man  from  doing  tlie  Aft^j.^f^^^  ^^° 
necessary  walking  in  soft  ground,  but  even  tliis  will  not  be  found  such  you  <»n  "carry 
a  serious  loss  after  you  have  been  supplied  with  the  "extras  "  to  which  back  home,  vou 
you  are  entitled.  Uncle  Sam  has  had  Ms  "physical  mechanics"  at ^Pg^°*^|?^*j *° 
work  for  some  time  getting  these  "extras"  ready,  and  after  you  have  wPP*"^*^*'^^*7 
gotten  them  adjusted  and  properly  "broken  in"  you  will  find  consid-  lished  by  the  Fed- 
erable  pleasure  in  your  ability  to  use  them.  Your  work  as  a  mechanic  ^tJon^'^^^Ediica^. 
will  be  with  machinery  and  you  will  almost  invariably  ride  while  tjon  for  your  sto- 
operating  it.  In  the  shopwork  and  repairs,  if  you  can  stand  at  a  bench  them  you  '  will 
and  move  around  your  machine,  you  will  find  little  difficulty  on  account  simply  stated,^all 
nf  Ifws  of  a  Ipff  t^^     information 

01  loss  01  a  leg.  ,  ,        ■,     ,     ^  ^t,     you  need  about 

As  for  arms,  the  candidate  should  have  one  good  hand,  but  the  imany,  many  oc- 
mechanical  substitutes  that  have  been  developed  will  enable  you  to  which  *  you  ^may 
get  along  very  comfortably  with  one  good  hand  and  a  workable  substi-  y^^^^j^,^^  ^^ 
tute  for  the  other.  After  you  are  accustomed  to  your  store  hand  its  jwill  know  better 
use  will  become  second  nature  to  you  and  you  will  not  often  be  conscious  ^k^to  So^andthe 
of  the  change.  Even  store  teeth  require  a  certain  amoimt  of  education  t^^^^f  *e  d  e^a°i 
before  they  work  well.  Board,   wherever 

Increase  in  the  use  of  artificial  limbs  at  tliis  time  has  led  to  material  them.  Tn  hospital 
improvements  being  made  in  appliances  to  overcome  various  handi-  " e*s pondence 
caps.  The  illustrations  you  have  undoubtedly  seen  in  print  or  on  the  when  necessary, 
screen  are  not  "make  up"  pictures  but  actual  cases  of  wliat  training  ^tion to help°^u 
in  the  use  of  these  appUances  will  enable  a  person  to  do.  What  ^^^^afm^'w^ 
others  can  do,  you  can  do.  to  do,  help  you 

Physical  disabilities,  such  as  shell  shock,  nervous  troubles,  and  lung  %T^'f^\t,  and 
troubles  will  be  greatly  benefited  by  the  free  outdoor  life  of  the  farm.  P^*pefJ^u%t*ion 
There  are  side  lines  that  would  be  very  profitable  and  interesting  ai^r  you  have 
which  would  sandwich  in  with  the  work  of  the  farm  mechanic  in  a  very  stand  on  your  feet 
satisfactory  way,  such  as  beekeeping,  poultry,  and  sheep.  ®^  *  worker  in  it. 

There  is  a  fascination  about  farm  life  to  many  persons  that  more  than 
compensates  for  any  loss  of  the  enjoyments  peculiar  to  city  life.  The 
farmer  has  been  looked  on  as  not  quite  the  equal  of  the  manufacturer 
or  merchant,  but  opinion  is  rapidly  changing.  The  farmer  is  the 
original  producer  on  which  others  depend.  This  war  has  caused  the 
world  to  realize  his  importance,  and  now  he  is  beginning  to  receive  his 
dues  and  be  recognized  for  his  real  worth. 

When  you  have  had  the  special  training  as  a  farm  mechanic  you  will 
find  that  the  demand  for  your  services  is  from  well-equipped  and 
experienced  farmers.  While  you  are  rendering  valuable  service  to 
your  employer  in  your  line  of  work  you  will  be  getting  a  good  salary 
and  securing  useful  experience  which  will  prepare  you  for  a  better 
position  as  a  farm  mechanic  or  for  successful  management,  eventually, 
of  a  farm  of  your  own. 

The  Surgeon  General  is  instructed  to  fit  you  out  with  the  best  appli- 
ances possiblefor  your  future  work,  and  the  Federal  Board  for  Vocational 
Education  is  ordered  to  provide  the  training  that  will  fit  you  for  the 
work  which  you  decide  is  best  and  most  nearly  meets  your  needs. 

The  Federal  board's  training  courses  have  been  arranged  for  in  every 
State,  and  information  in  regard  to  them  can  be  secured  from  your 
nearest  district  vocational  officer.  See  list  on  the  last  page  of  this 
monograph. 


FEDERAL  BOARD  FOR  VOCATIONAL  EDUCATION. 

MEMBERS. 

David  F.  Houston,  Chairman,  James  P.  Munroe,  Vice  Chairman, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture.  Manufacture  and  Commerce. 

William  C.  Redfield,  Calvin  F.  McIntosh, 

Secretary  of  Commerce.  Agriculture.      ^ 

William  B.  Wilson,  Arthur  E.  Holder, 

Secretary  of  Labor.  '  Labor. 

P.  P.  Claxton, 

Commissioner  of  Education. 

EXECUTIVE    STAFF. 

0.  A.  Prosser,  Director. 
Layton  S.  Hawkins,  Chief  Vocational  Education  Division. 
Charles  H.  Win  slow,  Chief  Research  Division. 
H.  L.  Siivrn,  Chief  Rehabilitation  Division. 

DISTRICT  VOCATIONAL  OFFICES  OF  THE  FEDERAL  BOARD  FOR  VOCA- 
TIONAL EDUCATION. 

All  disabled  soldiers,  sailors,  and  marines,  whether  in  or  out  of  the  hospital,  should  address  their 
communications  either  to  the  Federal  Board  for  Vocational  Education,  Washington,  D.  C,  or  to 
the  district  office  of  the  Federal  Board  of  the  district  in  which  they  are  located.  The  district  offices 
of  the  Board  are  located  at  the  following  points,  respectively: 

District  No.  1.— Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  Massachusetts,  and  Khode  Island.  Office: 
Room  1201  Little  Building,  80 Boylston  Street,  Boston,  Mass.  Branch  office:  Rooms  324-326  Masonic 
Building,  Portland,  Me. 

District  No.  2.— Connecticut,  New  York,  and  New  Jersey.  Office:  469  Fifth  Avenue,  New  Tork, 
N.Y. 

District  No.  3.— Pennsylvania  and  Delaware.  Office:  1211  Chestnut  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Branch  office :  Room  491  TTnion  Arcade  Building,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

District  No.  4.— District  of  Columbia,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  West  Virginia.  Office:  606  F  Street 
NW.,  Washington,  D.  C.  Branch  offices:  Room  400  Flat  Iron  Building,  Norfolk,  Va. ;  Room  411  Park 
Bank  Building,  104  West  Lexington  Street,  Baltimore.  Md. 

District  No.  5.— North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  and  Tennessee.  Office: 
Room  823  Forsyth  Building,  Atlanta,  Ga. 

District  No.  6.— Alabama,  Mississippi,  and  Louisiana.  Office:  Rooms  412-432  Maison  Blanche 
Annex,  New  Orleans,  La. 

District  No.  7.— Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Kentucky.  Office:  Rooms  1212-1214  Mercantile  Library  Build- 
ing, Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Branch  office :  Home  Service  Section,  American  Red  Cross,  Park  Building, 
Cleveland,  Ohio. 

District  No.  8.— Michigan,  Illinois,  and  Wisconsin.  Office:  1600  The  Westminster,  110  South  Dear- 
bom  Street,  Chicago,  HI.    Branch  office:  Room  807  Owen  Building,  Detroit,  Mich. 

District  No.  9.— Iowa,  Nebraska,  Kansas,  and  Missouri.  Office :  Rooms  815-824  Chemical  Building, 
St.  Louis,  Mo.    Branch  office:  Room  413  Massachusetts  Building,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

District  No.  10.— Minnesota,  North  Dakota,  and  South  Dakota.  Office:  Room  742  Metropolitan 
Bank  Building,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

District  No.  11.— Wyoming,  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  and  TTtah.  Office:  Room  400  Mercantile 
Building,  Denver,  Colo. 

District  No.  12.— California,  Nevada,  and  Arizona.  Office:  Room  997  Monadnock  Building,  San 
Francisco,  Calif. 

District  No.  13.— Montana,  Idaho,  Oregon,  and  Washington.  Office:  Boom  D39  Central  Building, 
Seattle,  Wash. 

District  No.  14.— Arkansas,  Oklahoma,  and  Texas.  Office:  Room  810  Western  Indemnity  Building, 
1000  Main  Street,  Dallas,  Tex. 

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